Chapter 167: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [167]
Chinju Forest – Hidden Shelter
Within the serene, bluish woods, a small cave nestled at the base of a rocky hill served as the group's hideout.
Around a modest campfire, Natalia and the others sat, chatting in low voices as they warmed themselves.
From deeper within the cave, however, the anguished cries of a woman echoed intermittently.
The group glanced toward the source of the sound, their expressions heavy with worry.
After a while, Theresa emerged from the depths of the cave. Her once pristine face was now smudged with soot and grime.
"Not even soaking her works?" Natalia asked, her brows furrowed.
Theresa shook her head as she slumped down by the fire.
"She barely lasted a minute in the water before it evaporated. The entire bucket burned up too..."
"No other way, then?" Natalia sighed, lowering her head in frustration.
"Lord Luo Qing never mentioned this... that Lady Rosalyne could end up like this..."
Since the battle at Tenshukaku, they had taken refuge in this part of Chinju Forest. Its dense woods made it easy to get lost without a guide, making it an ideal hiding spot.
But shortly after they arrived, Rosalyne—whom Luo Qing had tasked them with protecting—began to exhibit strange symptoms. Flames engulfed her body, her blood glowing like molten lava, threatening to consume her entirely.
They had tried everything to suppress the flames, but nothing worked. At this rate, Rosalyne would be reduced to ash before Luo Qing returned.
Initially, their biggest concern had been how to get Rosalyne to cooperate.
Instead, she was remarkably compliant, a stark contrast to her past demeanor. She endured the searing pain in silence, never once lashing out at them.
She remained at the back of the cave, alone, quietly suffering through the torment.
"What do we do now?" Sergei, the burly man of the group, scratched his head. "I'd heard that Lady Rosalyne was cursed as the Witch of Flames... If not for Her Majesty the Tsaritsa, she'd have burned to death long ago."
"With her current condition, I doubt she'll last two more weeks," Igor said grimly. "We either contact the Inazuma division and have Lord Scaramouche take over, or we wait here for Lord Luo Qing."
"Lord Luo Qing..."
The mention of his name caused the group to fall silent, each bowing their heads.
They had stayed hidden in Chinju Forest out of faith that Luo Qing was still alive and would return for them.
But as the days dragged on, their hopes began to waver.
"Let's wait a few more days. I'm sure Lord Luo Qing will come for us..." Theresa murmured, her voice trembling as tears glistened in the firelight.
"...Alright," Natalia said after a pause, her expression softening.
The others exchanged looks, their worry evident.
Theresa, the cheerful Electro Cicin Mage whom Luo Qing had rescued from Guyun Stone Forest, had grown uncharacteristically somber since witnessing the events at Tenshukaku.
More often than not, her eyes carried traces of tears.
"Fine. We'll wait another week," Natalia finally decided. "But if Lord Luo Qing hasn't returned by then, we'll have to take Lady Rosalyne to the Inazuma division."
"Understood..."
With heavy hearts, they sat in silence, staring into the flames.
Could someone as strong as Lord Luo Qing really fall to a god?
Their grim thoughts were interrupted by a noise outside the cave.
"Someone's here—stay alert!" Natalia ordered in a hushed tone.
The group quickly stood, pressing themselves against the walls with weapons drawn, their eyes fixed on the cave entrance.
Under the moonlight, a shadow stretched across the ground, growing longer as a figure approached.
Fingers tightened on triggers as the silhouette neared the firelight, revealing a familiar face.
"Why are you pointing guns at me? Planning a mutiny?"
That familiar tone, that teasing smirk—it was unmistakable.
"Lord Luo Qing!"
Their weapons clattered to the ground as all four rushed toward him.
Theresa moved the fastest, practically launching herself into his arms.
"Lord Luo Qing, you're really alive...! Waaaah!"
She buried her face in his chest, her tears flowing freely.
"Do I look like someone who dies easily?" Luo Qing glanced down at Theresa, who was clinging to him like a limpet. Normally, he would have scrunched his nose in disdain and promptly tossed her aside.
But seeing her sobbing so pitifully, he decided to let it slide.
However, after a while, he noticed Theresa wasn't letting go. Worse, she began sniffing him like a bloodhound.
"...Theresa, what are you doing?"
She tilted her head up, her tearful eyes meeting his as she whispered, "You... you smell like another woman."
"?"
"You've got a death wish, huh?" Luo Qing grabbed her by the back of her neck and set her aside before turning to Natalia.
"Where's Rosalyne?"
"She's... deeper inside," Natalia said, pointing toward the cave's depths, her expression grave.
"But her condition is... not good."
"Hmm?"
Luo Qing's gaze followed the direction of her finger. From the cave's depths, the sound of agonized screams echoed, accompanied by flickering shadows cast by the flames.
"Wait here. Leave the rest to me."
"Yes, Lord Luo Qing," they answered in unison.
Luo Qing ventured deeper into the cave.
In the heart of the cavern, surrounded by a pile of charred debris, Rosalyne knelt on the ground, her body wracked with pain.
Her veins glowed with a molten gold light, as though magma coursed through her instead of blood.
Her alabaster skin was fractured and burning, with flames licking out from the cracks like a doll tossed into a furnace.
Sensing his presence, Rosalyne lifted her head, her twisted features barely masking her torment.
"You... what do you want from me now..." she rasped weakly.
Ever since the day Luo Qing had fused that strange purple orb into her body, a compulsion had taken root in her mind—a singular, unshakable desire to obey his every command.
"Rosalyne-Kruzchka Lohefalter, the person you once were is dead. And the person you'll become..."
Luo Qing raised a hand, summoning a glacial-blue Vision. Frosty energy swirled around it like an icy vortex.
"From now on, you'll live for me!"
With a flick of his wrist, he tossed the Vision onto Rosalyne's chest.
The immense Cryo energy surged into her body, merging with her.
The flames consuming her flesh subsided, leaving her pale and broken body exposed. She now resembled a ghostly figure from the depths of hell, kneeling on the ground and gasping for breath.
"This look doesn't suit you," Luo Qing said coolly, tossing her a Supreme Vitality Pill.
"Eat it."
"Yes..." Rosalyne whispered hoarsely.
---
hey. weapon master's made it to scribble hub. profile's WiseTL. it's there if you're looking for it.
If you notice anything that feels off, just let me know—I don't mind fixing things up.
Oh, and don't forget to sit up, grab some water, and take it easy while you're here. No rush, right?
If you're into this, consider checking out [patreon.com/WiseTL].
Your support helps me keep going, and I'm grateful for every bit of it.
Chapter 168: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [168]
Moments later, her shattered and burnt body began to heal visibly.
The charred blackened remnants of her skin fell away, replaced by soft, unblemished flesh that was smooth as a newborn's.
Even her long-lost right eye regenerated, restoring her vision completely.
Time seemed to stand still as her transformation unfolded.
When it was over, Rosalyne's body was as flawless as polished jade, a picture of vitality and perfection.
"This... how is this possible?"
She touched her newly restored right eye, disbelief etched on her face. The crude-looking pill had not only repaired the fire-ravaged parts of her body but also regenerated what she thought was lost forever.
She felt like a newborn, her body brimming with life.
"How did you do this?" Rosalyne looked up at Luo Qing, confusion and shock in her eyes.
"You could at least show some gratitude," Luo Qing said with a smirk, tapping her on the forehead. "From now on, call me 'Master.'"
"..."
Rosalyne remained silent, her gaze conflicted.
After a brief internal struggle, she lowered her head, compelled by the binding obsession within her.
"Yes... Master..."
"Ahh, now that's satisfying," Luo Qing said with a contented sigh.
He'd been waiting for the day he could bring Rosalyne under his command.
"Also..."
With a thought, Luo Qing summoned a set of clothes from his system inventory and tossed them to her.
"Put these on. Unless, of course, you prefer walking around naked."
Rosalyne, already weak from her ordeal, had been unable to control the flames consuming her. As a result, every piece of clothing Natalia had dressed her in had been incinerated.
Now, her flawless body stood fully exposed, a sight that even Luo Qing couldn't help but steal a few glances at.
"Yes..."
Rosalyne accepted the clothes, casting a sidelong glance at Luo Qing. Noticing he wasn't turning away, her cheeks flushed slightly.
"Um..."
"Just put them on," Luo Qing interrupted, making no move to leave the room.
"Yes..."
Her words cut off, Rosalyne reluctantly began dressing in front of him, her face tinged with embarrassment.
The outfit Luo Qing provided was a standard Fatui female uniform—far less elegant than her former regal attire. It fit tightly across her chest, reminding her that she was no longer an esteemed Harbinger but just another soldier.
"Not bad. It suits you," Luo Qing said with an approving nod.
"You knew I would die in that duel, didn't you?" Rosalyne asked softly, her head bowed to avoid meeting his eyes.
"Sharp as always. Want me to give you a little reward for that insight?" Luo Qing teased. "Oh, and by the way, if you call me anything other than 'Master' again, I'll have to teach you a lesson~."
"..."
[+1 Frustration Value from Rosalyne.]
"Why did you save me?" she asked, her voice tinged with sadness.
Dying would have been a release for her—a way to escape her torment.
"It's simple." Luo Qing crossed his arms and replied matter-of-factly.
"There aren't many people on this continent with decent power. I couldn't let the Tsaritsa hog them all, could I?"
"You..."
Rosalyne started to retort but stopped herself, lowering her head again.
"What... does Master plan to do?"
"Ah, you're learning. Good," Luo Qing said, smiling with satisfaction.
It seemed the master ball's effects worked exactly as described—no one with weaker mental strength than him could resist the servitude contract.
"I don't plan to do much. I just want to expand my... organization, you see." Luo Qing tapped her on the forehead.
"The Eighth Harbinger, Signora, is dead. From now on, Rosalyne, you'll be like Natalia and the others—working for me. Understood?"
"Yes... Master." Rosalyne bowed her head obediently.
"Good. Now, let's introduce you to your new colleagues."
Luo Qing turned and began walking toward the cave's entrance.
Rosalyne glanced at his retreating figure, then at the icy Vision in her hand.
It was a genuine Vision, unlike the counterfeit Delusions granted by the Fatui.
Visions were divine blessings, bestowed only on those chosen by the gods.
Even the Tsaritsa had merely given her elemental power through a Delusion to suppress her flames. Luo Qing, however, had handed her a real Cryo Vision with ease.
For the first time, Rosalyne found herself questioning everything she thought she knew about Luo Qing.
Wasn't he just an orphan picked up by Arlecchino at the House of the Hearth? How does he possess such power...
"Why are you just standing there? Hurry up," Luo Qing called, snapping her out of her thoughts.
"Yes..." Rosalyne murmured, following him out of the cave.
"Alright, everyone, gather around!" Luo Qing said cheerfully, patting Rosalyne on the shoulder as they emerged.
"Meet Rosalyne, our newest addition to this happy little family. Let's give her a warm welcome!"
"..."
The group glanced at Rosalyne, their expressions a mix of wariness and reluctance as they clapped half-heartedly.
Truth be told, they had eavesdropped on Luo Qing and Rosalyne's entire conversation.
They still couldn't quite wrap their heads around the fact that their leader had made her—the Eighth Harbinger—call him Master.
Apparently, Luo Qing had a thing for this kind of... arrangement.
"Um, Lord Luo Qing," Theresa hesitantly raised her hand.
Having been the lowest-ranking member of the group, she often found herself on the receiving end of teasing. She had secretly hoped Luo Qing would bring in new recruits for her to boss around.
And now...
"Rosalyne's rank is...?" Theresa asked, her eyes gleaming with hope.
"Oh, just as you're thinking, Theresa," Luo Qing replied with a grin, patting Rosalyne on the shoulder again. "From today, Rosalyne is officially your junior~."
"Wha... huh..."
The former Eighth Harbinger, the superior of all superiors, was now her subordinate.
It was almost too much for her to process.
---
Outskirts of Inazuma City
Ei knelt on one knee, clutching her head with her right hand, her face contorted in pain.
"Ei, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell again?!" Paimon asked worriedly.
Throughout their journey, Ei had shown signs of discomfort multiple times, especially after battles.
They had just defeated a pack of Riftwolves, helping some wandering spirits pass on peacefully.
"Ei, are you alright?" Lumine asked.
"I... I can't move my body..." Ei's voice was strained, her expression filled with anguish.
"It seems she no longer wants me... to use this body..."
"She?" Lumine asked hesitantly. "You mean the Shogun?"
"Yes..." Ei replied softly. "It seems I must face her..."
"Lumine, could I ask you to accompany me to Yashiori Island?"
"What for?"
"To settle everything with the Shogun. To sever the past... and embrace the future..."
---
T/N: calling it now the seed is for Makoto (OMG I FUCKING FORGOT THIS CHAPTER ARAIHFIHFAF u guys get 3 chapters toady then lmaoo)
If you notice anything that feels off, just let me know—I don't mind fixing things up.
Oh, and don't forget to sit up, grab some water, and take it easy while you're here. No rush, right?
If you're into this, consider checking out [patreon.com/WiseTL].
Your support helps me keep going, and I'm grateful for every bit of it.
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